In news reporting by WQOW-TV Eau Claire, Wis., Everest Metro Police Sgt. Mark Klemm characterized the accident this way: "Basically, it strips paint off the metal and they were immersing it in this hot salt bath which is approximately they said 800-900 degrees and somehow when the piece of metal being treated was immersed into the hot salt bath it reacted."

Simpson was assigned to the 334th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), headquartered in Johnston, Iowa. Public messages from family members say that he had planned to report to active duty March 1, and to deploy overseas later this year with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 34th Infantry Division. The 334th BSB is one of 5 battalions comprising the 2/34th BCT. Approximately 500 people, a battalion typically has one chaplain and an assistant to minister to soldiers' spiritual and emotional needs, as well as to advise commanders on moral issues.